Adjustable device for treating heart valve regurgitation

Abstract

A prosthetic device for treating a native valve of a heart includes a sealing element and an anchoring element. The sealing element comprises a braided mesh material. The sealing element is dimensioned to be deployed at the native valve. The sealing element is configured to both be radially expanded and radially reduced while at a position between the native valve leaflets. The anchoring element is coupled to the sealing element and is configured to support the sealing element between the native valve leaflets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for treating a native valve, comprising:
 a sealing element comprising a braided mesh material, wherein the sealing element is dimensioned to be deployed in the native valve of a heart at a position between native valve leaflets to contact the native valve leaflets during systole to create a seal to prevent regurgitation of blood from a ventricle to an atrium, wherein the sealing element is configured such that the sealing element can radially expand and radially reduce while at the position between the native valve leaflets; and   an anchoring element adapted for deployment in the heart, the anchoring element coupled to the sealing element and configured to support the sealing element at a desired position between the native valve leaflets.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing element has an axisymmetrical or elliptical top cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring element comprises an expanded diameter between 25 and 70 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring element comprises a shape memory material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a cover disposed over the braided mesh material of the sealing element. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the braided mesh material of the sealing element forms a spherical shape. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the braided mesh material of the sealing element forms a shape having varying radial dimensions around a circumference of the sealing element. 
     
     
         8 . A system for treating a native valve of a heart, comprising:
 a delivery catheter;   a sealing element dimensioned to be deployed in the native valve at a position between native valve leaflets of the native valve to contact the native valve leaflets during systole to create a seal to prevent regurgitation of blood from a ventricle to an atrium, wherein the sealing element is configured such that the sealing element can radially expand and radially reduce while at the position between the native valve leaflets;   an anchoring element adapted for deployment in the heart, the anchoring element coupled to the sealing element and configured to support the sealing element at a desired position between the native valve leaflets; and   wherein the anchoring element and the sealing element are configured to be positioned in a collapsed state within the delivery catheter.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the sealing element has an axisymmetrical or elliptical top cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  further comprising a cover disposed over a braided mesh material of the sealing element. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the braided mesh material of the sealing element forms a spherical shape. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the braided mesh material of the sealing element forms a shape having varying radial dimensions around a circumference of the sealing element. 
     
     
         13 . A method of treating a native valve of a heart, comprising:
 deploying a sealing element in the native valve at a position between native valve leaflets of the native valve to contact the native valve leaflets during systole to create a seal to prevent regurgitation of blood from a ventricle to an atrium;   expanding and contracting the sealing element while at the position between the native valve leaflets; and   anchoring the sealing element between the native valve leaflets.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising positioning the sealing element in a collapsed condition in a delivery catheter prior to said deploying. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing element has an axisymmetrical or elliptical top cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the sealing element comprises a cover disposed over a braided mesh material. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the braided mesh material of the sealing element forms a shape having varying radial dimensions around a circumference of the sealing element.